Feature: Streaming Music When Streaming Makes Sense (and When It Doesn't)

For $5 or $10 a month, a streaming service provides access to millions of songs and is as easy to use as tuning the dial on the radio, in fact, streaming audio is a lot like listening to radio, but with more channels available and the ability (in most instances) to customize your own playlists.

All of which makes streaming an attractive option for casual consumers looking for music that goes where their lifestyle takes them; serious music collectors (aka DJs), however, are less enthusiastic about streaming music, for a number of reasons.

First there's issue of not owning the streaming content you're listening to. Just like the music you listen to on the radio, there's nothing to keep and nothing to show for the money you've spent when your streaming subscription is over.

Nor is streaming 100% reliable. Streaming music in real time via a public hotspot is prone to bandwidth constraints that can cause your music to stutter or freeze up altogether. Even worse, with few exceptions, nix the connection and you nix the music.

Streaming services tend to offer bitrates that range from 128kbps to "up to" 320kbps - bitrates that may sound fine through a smartphone or home stereo system but will fall far short of what a large venue dance floor expects and deserves.

It's also possible that a streaming service might not have all the music you want to listen to. Even Spotify, which boasts more than 30 million tracks, has some obvious holes in its library. (No Beatles tunes, for example.) There's also always the chance that an artist or a label might pull their music with little to no notice. (And possibly "never, ever, ever, getting back together".)

Perhaps most importantly: None of the leading streaming services provide the Clean Edits, Intro Edits and limited release remixes that are essential to DJ play. Depend solely on streaming and you'll be playing the same versions your audience listened to on the drive there, versions not tailored for beat-mixing or safe-play.

None of which should make you a hater. Lots of DJs, (including us), use streaming audio to discover new artists, to give a listen to a new track or album prior to purchase or to grab a request that will likely be played just once.

Streaming is a tool. One of many (and one we haven't ruled out). But we wouldn't want to build a house with a ball peen hammer any more than spin an event with anything less than music powered by Promo Only.

Anytime anywhere access
Our POOL desktop app gives you total access to your account from work, home or even at the gig and the option to add additional music and music video 24/7.

Exclusive content
Clean Edits, Intro Edits, Quick Edits, extended mixes, limited-release remixes and decades-deep library of classics are just a few of the perks.

Plans for every DJ and VJ
Whether you're looking for a single genre or access to a one-stop DJ shop that meets all your audio and video needs, we have a plan for you. And custom options if we don't.

The personal touch
Call us and you'll always get a real person with real solutions. Our customer service, tech support, and DJ consultants are on hand M-F 8am-7pm EST at 407-331-3600 to make a difference in your day.

15,123 hard drives crash every day
But even if you're one of the 33% of those who never back up your hard drive you'll never lose a single POOL song. Our Clouded store-and-restore feature gives you access to any lost POOL tracks again and again, free, for life.

Choosing your first DJ controller and DJ software can be highly confusing, especially for beginners, as that's the point when you're likely most ill-equipped to make the important decisions -- decisions that are going to cost you a lot of money if you get them wrong.

That's why every year we produce a unique, free PDF buyer's guide to choosing DJ controllers, with chapters on software, hardware, laptops, other gear you need, and lots of recommendations about exactly what to buy.

This year's guide is packed with a lot more information than we have on our website and is completely free to every Digital DJ Tips member. Not a member? Don't worry, the guide is our gift to you as soon as you join our community, and that's free, too.

What does it cover?

We've rounded up every major DJ controller & software package currently on the market.

About Digital DJ Tips: Featuring news, reviews, show reports, and tutorials, Digital DJ Tips is one of the most-read DJ tech websites in the
world, with over 60,000 students on its paid and free DJ courses.

Review: The 1st DJ Controller Flashback to the Gemini FF-1 Flash Former

It's retro-chic at its best - introduced in 1988 by Gemini, the FF-1 Flash Former takes its name from turntable visionary DJ Grandmaster Flash and served to allow those
of us who weren't Grandmaster Flash to more easily execute his signature transformer scratch.

If you wanted to go all robot voice with your turntable - and in 1988 we all did - and hadn't yet mastered this complex technique, you wanted this.

Until now transformer scratching was a complicated technique that required sliding the fader rhythmically back and forth to create a scratching - repeating type effect.
Now the same effect can be produced without touching your fader controls! All you do is rhythmically move the record and press the Flash Former Transform button!Standout features include:

Plug between turntable and mixer

Track Preparation - Beatgrid views instantly shows your grids on the displays for editing in advance or on the fly

Eliminates wear and tear on mixer/fader

Touch-sensitive keys for speed scratching

Defeat switch for regular mixer

Can also be used with most any home stereo for creating ultra-hot party tapes

Sticker price in the '88? $399. There are still some around and can be found for $100 - $199.

"I think that there are two fundamental approaches to generating more business," says DJ Success Coach Stacy Zemon. "The first is to focus on making your existing clients insanely happy, so that they want to tell others about how much they love you; the second is to simply be a resource, or be helpful, to those who aren't clients yet."

13 lucky ways to become so well loved that you turn into a referral-generating machine...

Set a clear goal with a specific time line (e.g., 100 referrals in the next six months). You can't get to Schenectady, NY without a map.

Be nice. Come on, it's not hard. People refer people who treat them well, are approachable and likable. Be that person.

When someone refers new business to you send them a hand-written "thank you" note and a coupon or gift card.

There's after-hours access
Need to change, renew or make an addition to your POOL account after hours or weekends, even if you're working and we're not?

It's easy.

Simply log on to our website at promoonly.com using your POOL name and password and you'll have instant access to your account manager and the option to purchase any last minute content you need, old or new.

*** Please note that while your Promo Only folders will be immediately available for download, the bonus singles included with your POOL plan will not sync until the following business day. ***

It's your POOL. On your schedule.

For a complete walk-through of all our after-hours features call 407-331-3600.

World traveler and filmaker, Vincent Moon, captures rarely seen music ritual with only a backpack and a camera, with the hope can help people see their own cultures in a new way, and make young people say: "Whoa, my grandfather is as cool as Beyoncé."

The talk is summed up with a performance by jazz icon Naná Vasconcelos.